9 Best Mattresses for Side Sleepers of 2026: Expert Reviewed

Best for Side Sleepers with Hip Pain: Saatva Classic

Score: 9.7 out of 10

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Pros and cons

Pros

• Excellent pressure relief at the hips
• Targeted support under the midsection
• Reinforced edge support

Cons

• Motion ripples across bed surface
• Retains heat

Features

• Materials: Innerspring
• Firmness: Plush soft, luxury firm or firm
• Side-sleeping pressure relief: 5 out of 5
• Read more in our in-depth Saatva mattress review

Key takeaways from our testing

Relieves pressure on the hips. Tester Dana said the Saatva Classic’s luxury-firm model felt supportive while lying on her side. “There’s the right amount of sinkage in my hips to align my spine,” she said, awarding the bed a perfect pressure relief score for side sleeping. This mattress features a 3-inch-thick Euro pillow top and what the company calls “Lumbar Zone Technology.” This technology includes a layer of gel-infused memory foam in the center-third of the mattress to provide more support for your lower back and midsection. Our testers noticed that their weight felt evenly distributed on this mattress and they didn't feel stress on their hips.

Strong edges. Dana said the bed felt stable when she sat on the side. “The piping on the edge feels very firm and supportive,” she explained. Saatva wraps its mattress edges in dense foam for extra sturdiness, which can help older adults feel more stable standing up from the edge of this bed.

Mediocre motion isolation. The Saatva Classic doesn’t do a great job isolating motion, meaning light sleepers may be easily awoken by the movements of their partner or pet. “This has a bouncy feel that’s great for helping me sit up or change positions, but not for limiting motion,” Dana said. Older adults who prefer a spring bed with better motion isolation may want to consider the DreamCloud Classic Hybrid.

Best Cooling for Side Sleepers: Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid

Score: 9.6 out of 10

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Pros and cons

Pros

• Limits heat buildup
• Excellent pressure relief and support for side sleepers
• Easy to move on

Cons

• Middling motion isolation
• Passable edge support

Features

• Materials: Hybrid
• Firmness: Plush, medium firm or firm
• Side-sleeping pressure relief: 5 out of 5
• Read more in our in-depth Leesa mattress review

Key takeaways from our testing

Stays cool. The Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid is one of our lab team’s favorite beds for hot sleepers. During our cooling gun test, the surface absorbed only about 45 degrees of heat when we applied the heating pad for one minute, and cooled to its near-starting temperature faster than most beds we’ve tested. In fact, it only retained about 8 degrees — lower than most beds we’ve tested to date.

Eases pressure and aids in movement. Tester Donna said she usually prefers a soft bed, but she found this medium-firm mattress soft enough to cushion her body, even while resting on her side. “I love the cushiness of the pillow topper, and I feel like everything is uniformly supported,” she said. In fact, she awarded it perfect marks for both spinal alignment and pressure relief in all sleep positions. Tester Jennifer, a 45-year-old combination sleeper, echoed this sentiment. “This feels really good on my side. It’s so cushy but supportive,” she said. This bed also garnered a perfect score in our bounce test, which involves dropping a 15-pound ball onto the mattress and measuring how high it rebounds. The ball bounced 19.5 inches high, nabbing perfect marks. A high bounce usually indicates a bed’s surface is extremely responsive. This quality may make it easier for older adults with limited mobility to switch positions, rather than feeling “stuck” in the materials. 

Not for motion-sensitive couples or those seeking stable edges. While this bed earned an average score in our ripple test, we expected better performance given its construction. Each coil is individually wrapped, which should help prevent movement from rippling across the bed. Combined with four foam layers and a quilted cooling cover, this mattress should provide top-notch motion isolation, but it falls short. “When my testing partner changed positions, I could feel some bouncing and pulling at the cover,” Donna said. This bed also earned just an average score in our lab-controlled edge support test, which involves our lab team measuring how far the bed’s edges sink under a 150-pound sandbag. The Sapira Chill Hybrid compressed 5.5 inches, resulting in a so-so score for this assessment. For a hybrid, we would expect stronger edges, which can make the bed safer for older adults with mobility challenges. 

Best Mattress for an Adjustable Bed: The WinkBed

Score: 9 out of 10

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Pros and cons

Pros

• Excellent compatibility with an adjustable base
• Impressive motion isolation 
• Decent pressure relief for side and back sleepers

Cons

• Not bouncy for a hybrid
• Below-average cooling performance

Features

• Materials: Hybrid
• Firmness: Softer, luxury firm, firmer or plus
• Side-sleeping pressure relief: 3.5 out of 5
• Read more in our in-depth WinkBeds Mattress review

Key takeaways from our testing

Flexible enough for an adjustable base. Although it’s a thick mattress, at 13.5 inches tall, The WinkBed still works well on an adjustable base. Our lab team tested the luxury-firm model on three different bases and gave it a perfect score for adjustable base compatibility across all of them. The mattress conformed well to the base in all positions, including TV mode (moving the head to a fully upright position). 

Dampens movement well. Testers Bryan and Jennifer both awarded this bed admirable marks in our couples’ motion isolation test. “It isolated the movement to one area instead of the entire bed moving — no rollercoaster effect or jiggling jello,” said Bryan, a 62-year-old combination sleeper. Assessing pressure relief, Bryan said he was comfortable in each position, particularly on his side and back. “On my side, the spinal alignment is pretty good,” he said. “My body is sinking in evenly.” Jennifer agreed: “There’s a decent amount of support and good pressure relief overall,” she said.

Lacks bounce. Our lab team was surprised by The WinkBed’s weak bounce, since it’s a hybrid bed with coils. When we conducted our bounce test, the mattress registered a low 14-inch bounce. This result earned it a poor bounce score. Tester Dana reported she had to use her hands to get out of bed and would’ve liked to feel more bounce assisting her movement. The DreamCloud Classic Hybrid is a springy alternative that is also compatible with adjustable bases. 

Another drawback to The WinkBed? It earned a lackluster rating in our cooling gun test, as it was still nearly 20 degrees warmer than its initial temperature after the one-minute cool-down period.

Best Soft Mattress for Side Sleepers: Nolah Evolution

Score: 9.8 out of 10

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Pros and cons

Pros

• Soft pillow top offers cushioning under shoulders and hips
• Bouncy surface may make it easier to move
• Coils provide extra support for the spine

Cons

• Taller than many mattresses
• Midrange affordability

Features

• Materials: Hybrid
• Firmness: Plush, luxury firm or firm
• Side-sleeping pressure relief: 4 out of 5
• Read more in our in-depth Nolah mattress review

Key takeaways from our testing

Soft and comfortable for side sleepers. Tester Karin, a 54-year-old side sleeper who experiences nighttime aches and pains, had a hard time finding drawbacks to the Nolah Evolution. She said she loved how soft the quilted foam layer felt around her joints when sleeping on her side.“It’s supportive yet cradling on my hips. There’s no pressure building up,” she said. Our lab team agreed that the bed felt light and cushioned, but noted that the luxury-firm we tested felt more like a medium-soft mattress.

Responsive coils that help support the spine. The Nolah Evolution has five layers of foam above a base layer of individually wrapped coils. Despite the foam layers, this bed has a springy feel that may make it easier to move or switch positions. It earned an excellent bounce score, with the 15-pound ball rebounding 19 inches off the bed’s surface, which is way above average. In our testing, the combination of the soft foam and supportive coils also helped keep the spine neutral. “I feel very good on my side,” Dana said. “My hips are supported and my spine is aligned. The cover is cradling me, and there is great support underneath.” She gave the bed impressive marks for both side sleeping pressure relief and spinal alignment, which is notable for a softer mattress.

Taller and more expensive. The 14-inch Nolah Evolution is one of the tallest beds on this list (mattresses are typically 12 to 14 inches). The top of the mattress sits 23 to 39 inches off the ground when stacked on a platform or bed frame. If you’re shorter or have limited mobility, you may consider purchasing a low-to-the-ground bed frame or one with adjustable legs so you can set the mattress at a safer height for getting in and out of bed. 

Another drawback? This bed is expensive. In our October 2025 survey of older adults who recently purchased a new bed, around 77 percent had a budget of less than $2,000. A queen-size Nolah Evolution retails for $2,277. If that’s above your budget, we recommend keeping an eye out for the company’s frequent sales, which often take the price down to about $1,600, or checking out our list of the best affordable mattresses.

Best for Side Sleepers with Shoulder Pain: Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling

Score: 9.5 out of 10

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Pros and cons

Pros

• Outstanding pressure relief on the shoulders
• First-rate cooling
• Isolates motion

Cons

• Doesn’t work well with an adjustable base
• Pricey

Features

• Materials: Hybrid
• Firmness: Soft, medium or firm
• Side-sleeping pressure relief: 5 out of 5
• Read more in our in-depth Brooklyn Bedding Mattress review

Key takeaways from our testing

Relieves pressure and feels cool. While lying on his side, tester Bryan said the medium firmness model of the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling eased pressure on his joints, including his shoulder. “My spine is straight and aligned, and my body feels comfortable. I feel no pressure anywhere,” he added. Plus, this bed aced our cooling gun test, retaining only 7.6 degrees of heat — one of the best cooling performances we’ve seen. This means its surface does an excellent job of dissipating body heat, which is ideal for hot sleepers (including those who deal with hot flashes or night sweats).

Very good motion isolation. In our couples’ motion isolation test, Bryan and Jennifer gave this bed near-perfect marks. “I don’t think the motion would wake me up or disturb me,” said Bryan, a self-described “light sleeper.”

Not compatible with an adjustable base. One drawback of a tall bed (this one is 13.25 inches without the optional pillow top upgrade, or 14.5 inches with the pillow top) is that it may not bend enough to work well on an adjustable base. When our lab team tried this bed on three different adjustable bases we found the mattress was too rigid and inflexible. “There wasn’t enough bend with the mattress, so I felt unstable in the upright and zero-gravity positions,” one lab tester said. Zero-gravity is a common adjustable base position that slightly raises the head and feet of the mattress to help ease pressure on the back. If you have shoulder pain and count on these adjustments to help you rest comfortably or get out of bed, you may want to consider The WinkBed instead. 

Another drawback: This bed is expensive, retailing for $2,265. While this price is on the higher end, the company offers discounts throughout the year, especially around holidays. 

Best Hybrid Mattress for Side Sleepers: Silk & Snow Hybrid

Score: 9.6 out of 10

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Pros and cons

Pros

• Zoned coils help support the spine
• Springy feel
• Prevents motion transfer

Cons

• Average cooling
• Relatively short 15-year warranty

Features

• Materials: Hybrid
• Firmness: Plush, medium firm and firm 
• Side-sleeping pressure relief: 4 out of 5
• Read more in our in-depth Silk & Snow mattress review

Key takeaways from our testing

Responsive, supportive coil system. The Silk & Snow Hybrid has zoned support, which are firmer coils in the middle of the bed to help keep the spine in a neutral position (we tested the medium-firm model). Tester Donna said she enjoyed lying on her side on this bed because her body weight felt evenly distributed. “Very supportive hybrid mattress overall,” she said, giving near-excellent scores for both pressure relief and spinal alignment when side sleeping. Donna also gave this bed top-notch marks for edge support. “I feel very level. I don't feel like I am leaning at all or going to fall out,” she said while sitting on the edge of the bed.

Absorbs excess movement. Similar to the DreamCloud Classic Hybrid, this mattress has individually-wrapped coils that help reduce motion transfer. Solid motion isolation is rare and valuable in a hybrid — many older adults like the boost of springs to switch sides, but not many coil-based beds can also limit a partner’s movement from rippling across the surface. Donna said the motion she felt during the couples’ motion isolation test was “very minimal,” resulting in her awarding this bed an upper-tier score on this measure. 

Retains some heat. The Silk & Snow Hybrid received a middle-of-the-road cooling score, as it retained just over 18 degrees in our testing. Also, Silk & Snow is the only company on our list that doesn’t offer a lifetime or limited lifetime warranty. Instead, it offers coverage for manufacturer defects and premature wear and tear for a set 15 years. This warranty length should be enough to cover a typical life of a mattress (seven to 10 years). But if you want longer coverage for peace of mind, you may consider another hybrid on our list, such as the Saatva Classic, which offers a lifetime warranty.

How we tested the best mattresses for side sleepers

We started our process by researching the market. What mattresses are popular and why? Who has the best customer reviews — and are the reviews legitimate? After talking with medical experts, we brought 50-plus mattresses to our testing lab for in-depth examinations.

To identify their strengths and weaknesses, our lab testers performed a series of controlled, objective tests to assess metrics like edge support, bounce and temperature regulation. We also recruited more than 15 independent testers ages 45 and older with varying body types, sleep positions, health considerations and personal preferences to provide their unbiased feedback.

Testers answered questions like: Does the mattress provide sufficient pressure relief for your shoulders and hips? (Those are common areas of pressure buildup for side sleepers.) Do you feel stable lying on your side near the edge? Do your shoulders and spine feel aligned when lying on your side? Beds that excelled in our tests made our final list of the best mattresses for side sleepers. For more details, see our mattress testing methodology.

What to consider when buying a mattress for side sleeping

The best mattress for side sleeping depends on your personal comfort preferences. However, our testing results, research and consultations with medical experts identified several mattress traits that may lead to a better night’s sleep for side sleepers.

Firmness

A bed’s firmness level plays a large role in its overall comfort, according to medical experts and participants of our November 2025 focus group of older adults who recently purchased a new bed.

Most mattress companies measure firmness on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the firmest. The recommended firmness for side sleepers falls between soft and medium firm, or around 4 to 6.5 out of 10, a ccording to the medical experts we consulted. But your ideal firmness may vary depending on factors like your body type and weight, personal comfort preferences and any health considerations. 

The focus group participants who slept on their side told us that, before switching to their new mattresses, they slept on firmer beds. When they switched to softer beds — between medium and medium firm — they noticed an immediate improvement in sleep quality.

“A mattress that’s too firm creates pressure points — the shoulder and hip take all the load, and you wake up sore. A mattress that’s too soft lets the spine bow, which produces back pain and stiffness,” explains Dr. Omar Rahman, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Los Angeles.

How firm a bed feels can vary based on body weight and type. Lower-weight people may perceive softer mattresses as firmer than they are, and higher-weight people may perceive firmer mattresses as softer.

Pressure relief

Our focus group participants who had recently purchased beds told us that switching to softer beds helped ease pressure on their hips and shoulders.

As we age, our joints become less forgiving, says Jordan Burns, a licensed chiropractor and owner of ProWellness Chiropractic in Fishers, Indiana. This can make it harder for older adults to sleep comfortably on their side, particularly if they have arthritis in the hips or shoulders. So it is essential for side sleepers to “choose a proper mattress that will relieve pressure on the hips and shoulders and still support the spine,” he says. Rahman echoes this sentiment, recommending that older adults with joint issues look for a mattress that leans toward the “softer end of medium firm” to help ease pressure on joints like the hips.

The mattresses on our list have moderate to exceptional scores in pressure relief for side sleepers, who benefit from materials that conform to the body and help distribute body weight to ease pressure on joints.

Spinal alignment

A mattress with strong support — like hybrids with a base layer of metal coils — creates a durable sleeping surface that may help keep your spine neutral throughout the night. Many people find a supportive mattress that prevents excessive sinkage more comfortable. 

A mattress that supports your spine also helps ease pressure on your neck and shoulders if you’re a side sleeper, says Dr. Emeka Nwodim, a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon at The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics in Baltimore.

The beds on our list received moderate to exceptional scores for spinal alignment for side sleepers, supporting the body in a more neutral sleeping position without uncomfortable sinkage that can twist your back.

Materials

While there is no single ideal mattress type for side sleepers, a bed’s construction plays a big role in how comfortable it feels in that sleeping position. Here are the four most common materials and how they might affect your sleep.

• Innerspring. Innerspring mattresses are typically bouncy and supportive. Combination sleepers who switch between sleeping on their side and back may prefer an innerspring because they’re easier to move on. However, couples may wake each other throughout the night, since many innersprings lack motion isolation. Also, unless an innerspring mattress has a thick foam cover, it could feel too firm and not relieve pressure for side sleepers as well as other materials. “Traditional innerspring mattresses can work if there’s a good pillow-top layer, but on their own, they tend to create more pressure at bony pressure points on the body,” Rahman says.
• Memory foam. All-foam beds are often forgiving and pressure-relieving. Side sleepers may appreciate how the material conforms to their bodies, but combination sleepers or those with limited mobility may not like the “sinking” feeling of memory foam. These mattresses tend to perform best when they include layers of responsive memory foam that provide support and promote movement. Rahman says that memory foam beds can work well for side sleepers because they cradle the shoulders and hips better than innerspring beds. This cradling may prevent pressure-prone areas of the body from sinking deeper into the bed’s surface.
• Hybrid. Most hybrids combine layers of foam and coils. Since these beds can include any combination of these materials, their feel can vary — some may even feel firmer or softer than advertised. Still, they often offer a balance between pressure relief and support for side sleepers, and they’re one of the most popular types of mattresses on the market. Most beds on our list are hybrids.
• Latex. Natural rubber (latex) beds are a sustainable alternative to memory foam, which is a synthetic material. Latex mattresses have a similar contouring effect, but they’re generally more responsive and breathable. Like hybrids, they typically offer a decent balance of cushioning and support for side sleepers, but they’re often more expensive than mattresses made from other materials. If budget is a concern, a latex mattress topper may be a more affordable option. 

Since comfort is so subjective, Rahman encourages anyone shopping for a new bed focus on how the mattress feels at the shoulder and hip when lying on their side. 

What are the pros and cons of side sleeping?

Many adults sleep on their side, and research shows that side sleeping is the most popular sleeping position. Here are a few advantages and disadvantages of side sleeping.

Pros

• Easier breathing. Side sleeping may help you breathe easier than sleeping on your back or stomach. “It reduces the likelihood of the tongue and soft palate collapsing, which is why it’s also commonly recommended for people with obstructive sleep apnea or heavy snoring,” says Rahman.
• Improved acid reflux. If you have acid reflux, lying on your left side may help reduce nighttime symptoms by allowing acid to drain away from your esophagus, preventing the burning sensation in your chest.

Cons

• Prone to pressure in hips and shoulders. Side sleeping may increase pressure on hips and shoulders. When in the side-sleeping position, your shoulders and hips are in direct contact with the mattress. That makes those body parts more prone to pressure buildup because they’re supporting your weight. For older adults with pressure-sensitive joints, side sleeping may become uncomfortable or painful. “For someone who has rotator cuff issues, bursitis or hip arthritis, that sustained compression can aggravate inflammation and accelerate wear,” Rahman says. Check out our list of the best mattresses for shoulder pain for recommendations for pressure-relieving mattresses. 
• May tilt the neck at awkward angles. Resting on your side can strain your neck if your pillow is too firm or tall (tilting it upward) or too flat (tilting it down). That’s why side sleepers purchasing a new bed may want to invest in a new pillow to provide more neck support. “Most side sleepers do best with thicker, firmer pillows,” Nwodim says. He tells patients that their pillow needs to fill the space between their ear and the mattress to promote spinal alignment. 
• Hand numbness. Rahman also sees wrist and hand numbness among patients who sleep on their sides with their wrists tucked under the pillow. This may “compress [the nerves] for hours, which may cause [issues] such as carpal tunnel,” he says.

What is the best type of mattress for side sleepers?

Our test results found mattresses in the soft to medium firm range (4 to 6.5 out of 10) are often the most comfortable for side sleepers, but there is no single best type of mattress for side sleepers.

The Nectar Premier Memory Foam, a medium-firm all-foam bed with near-perfect pressure relief under the joints, is our best mattress overall for side sleepers. However, most mattresses that made the cut are hybrids, and a few offer zoned support to prevent sagging around the midsection.

How to sleep comfortably on your side

If you’re having trouble sleeping on your side, try these tips:

• Place a pillow between your knees. Many side sleepers find it comfortable to sleep with a pillow between their knees or under their arm. This can help ease pressure on your hips and prevent your spine from curving too much. Rahman says the pillow should be thick enough to keep the top leg from dropping inward. Similarly, a pillow under the arm of the side you’re lying on can offload stress on the shoulder.
• Change sides. If you experience pressure-sensitive pain more on one side of your body than the other, try swapping sides to see if symptoms subside.
  

Note: Mattress and sleep position recommendations are based on comfort, ergonomics expert input and tester feedback. If you’re having trouble sleeping due to aches, pains or other issues, see a health care professional who can provide a treatment plan that’s tailored to your symptoms.

Which side should you sleep on?

There is no single ideal side to sleep on — comfort can vary by person. “I always tell patients that the best sleep position is the one that lets you actually sleep,” Rahman says. “A technically perfect posture that keeps you awake at night isn’t helping anyone.”

How much do the best mattresses for side sleepers cost?

The mattresses on our list have full retail pricing that ranges from just over $1,000 to nearly $2,800 for queen sizes, depending on the model and any additional features. For example, the Helix Midnight Luxe is the most expensive option listed here, as it includes the ErgoAlign layer, which is an extra $250. The Silk & Snow Hybrid is the least expensive option, at $1,025 for the medium-firm model we tested.

FAQs

What type of mattress is best for side sleepers? 

For side sleepers, a soft to medium-firm mattress is usually best, as long as it cushions the shoulders and hips while still supporting the spine. In general, memory foam, latex and hybrid mattresses work well for side sleepers. Memory foam tends to offer the deepest pressure relief, latex feels a little more responsive and hybrids combine cushioning layers with coils for support. For many older adults, a medium-firm hybrid or foam mattress with a plush comfort layer is a safe recommendation as it balances cushioning and support.

What are the signs of a bad mattress for side sleepers?

Signs that a mattress is bad for side sleeping include waking up with aches and pains (especially in the hips or shoulders), lower back pain from hips sinking too deeply or feeling relief when you sleep on a different mattress. Other signals it may be time for a new mattress are constant tossing and turning, trouble getting comfortable or the bed noticeably sagging. 

Is it OK to sleep on your side every night?

In general, it’s perfectly fine to sleep on your side if it’s the most comfortable position for you. Side sleeping is the most popular sleep position, and it may help ease symptoms of acid reflux or make it easier to breathe when compared with back or stomach sleeping, according to the experts we interviewed. If you have specific concerns about side sleeping, speak with your health care provider.

Questions or feedback? Email us at AARPSmartPicks@aarp.org